Aviation News – France has ordered five additional Dassault Albatros maritime surveillance aircraft, boosting its future fleet to 12 under the AVSIMAR program, in a move to modernize naval aviation and strengthen maritime security.
The French defense procurement agency (DGA) confirmed the order on September 26, 2025. It follows the initial 2020 contract for seven aircraft, which included an option for five more. The Albatros jets are set to replace the French Navy’s long-serving Falcon 50M and Falcon 200 Gardian, marking a generational shift in France’s maritime patrol capability.
Based on the Falcon 2000 LXS business jet, the Albatros has been adapted for long-range surveillance and rapid-response missions. It features Thales’ SearchMaster AESA radar, Safran’s Euroflir 410 optronic turret, a Naval Group mission system, and satellite communication links. The aircraft also supports search and rescue operations, with the ability to detect distress beacons, deploy survival kits, and mark search areas.
“The Falcon 2000 Albatros brings a step-change in performance and endurance for maritime patrol missions, ensuring our forces are better equipped to safeguard France’s waters and international commitments,” the DGA said in a statement.
The new aircraft are expected to enter service progressively over the coming years, ensuring a smoother transition from the retiring fleet. With 10–30% greater range and endurance compared to their predecessors, the Albatros will reinforce France’s maritime security, humanitarian response capacity, and surveillance of strategic sea lanes.
By expanding the Albatros fleet, France positions itself at the forefront of maritime patrol capability in Europe, strengthening both national defense and international cooperation. The move reflects a broader trend among NATO nations to modernize maritime surveillance assets amid evolving global security challenges.
Photo Dassault Aviation/DGA
